Former Eagleton School staffer is 16th to be indicted in abuse case

PITTSFIELD — A 16th former staff member of the now-closed Eagleton School has been indicted by a Berkshire grand jury.

Christopher D. Welch, 24, of Watervliet, N.Y., has pleaded not guilty in Berkshire Superior Court before Judge Maureen Hogan to charges of assault and battery on a disabled person and caretaker abuse on a disabled person.

Welch is accused of assaulting a student on April 13, 2014.

The allegations of abuse at the Great Barrington-based school for boys and young men with special needs prompted a multi-agency raid in January, which involved about 50 law enforcement officers.

The school shut down for good in mid-April after the state revoked its license to operate. Former staffers face a variety of charges from assault and battery to witness intimidation and caretaker abuse.

Welch, along with his co-defendants are expected back in court on Sept. 29 for pretrial hearings.

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